Insulated contact or terminal for electric circuits.



No. 651,063. Patented June 5, |909.

C.v C. BADEAU.

INSUL'ATED CONTACT 0R TERMINAL FR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

(Application led Mar. 30, 1900.1

(No Model.)

:lm/enter Charles CBcxdeau b5 j/ggg Tm: mams PETERS cp. maouwo. wur-Immun. n4 r:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CHARLES C. BADEAU, OIF SCI'IENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF NEW YORK.

INSULATED CONTACT R TERMINAL FOR ELECTRIC CIRCUITS.

`S1ECIltiIlCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651,063, dated J une 5, 1900.

pplication filed March 30, 1900. Serial No. 10,754. (No model.)

To @ZZ A[117mm t 77mg/ concern,.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES C. BADEAU,

a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, county of Schenectady, State 5 of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Insulated Contacts or Terminals for Electric Circuits, (Case No. 1,485 of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to insulated circuitterminals for circuits of considerable potential. It is particularly designed for service in connection with switchboards, although the same mode of insulating the contact or terminal may be employed in other forms of electrical apparatus. It is of especial advantage in that type of switchboards where a plug connection is made between two circuit-terminals mounted upon the board. In zo such devices it has heretofore been the practice to bore a large hole in the switchboard through which a plug of porcelain containing the metallic tube at which contact is made with one circuit-terminal is inserted. Several disadvantages arise from this form of construction, the principal one being that in order to give stability to the porcelain bushing or lining it must be made quite thick, thus requiringr a large hole to be drilled in the board. The panels of switchboards in modern engineering practice are made of marble or slate or some similar fireproof insulating material which is brittle in its nature. Large holes not only weaken the structure, but considerable expense is involved in drilling them, so that the question of their size is of some importance from the standpoint of cheapness in construction, as well as from the consideration of the strength of the board.

In carrying out my invention I dispense with the porcelain bushing and employ a metallic lining, which may be made quite thin, insulating it from the panel of the switchboard by several layers of papel-soaked in or impregnated with boiled linseed-oil or some othersubstance having high insulating properties. Thus a hole comparatively small in cross-.section may be used with all the advantages which have heretofore appertained to much larger holes in the switchboard. The insulating properties of paper or other fabric so treated are very high, and a terminal. of any character may be given a very high degree 0f insulation by a Very small thickness of insulating-wall. My improvements contemplate a general application to all types of electrical apparatus or" contacts or terminals so insulated.

The accompanying drawing` shows in vertical section and elevation a switchboardterminal constructed in accordance ,with my improvements.

l represents the board, which, as hereinbefore stated, may be formed of any suitable insulating fireproof substance. I mount within a hole formed in this board a tubular terminal formed ot brass, as indicated at 2, extending clear through the board. The front end of the terminal is flared, as indicated, and engages a porcelain socket 3, containing a recess in which the flange :nests and which prevents accidental contact of the hands of the operator with the live part of the terminal. On the rear of the board is a plug or Washer 4, of porcelain, and separating both porcelain plugs from the board are spacers or washers of goed insulating material 5a. I wind around the tubular socket 2, which receives the plug-switch, a number of layers of insulating fabric, as indicated at 6, putting on as many layers as are necessary to afford a safe amount of insulation and to make a snug tit. This fabric may be of any approved character; but excellent results are afforded by soaking bond linen paper in boiled linseed-oil and permitting it to oxidize until dry. The material of which switchboards are commonly constructed is not of sufficient insulating power to withstand the high potentials, such as are commonly employed in engineering practice-say, ten thousand voltsbut by a construction such as I have described a terminal may be effectively mounted with littleexpense and afford all the insulation necessary for safe practice. The rear end of the terminal is provided with a nut 7, between which and a coperating nut or washer 8 may be inserted the circuit-terminal. leading to a bus-bar or other part of the ICQ distributing system. I have not deemed it necessary to shoT the cooperating terminal, so that it may be of any approved construction.

My invention resides in the mode of mounting the terminal herein described, so as to afford good insulating power and a [ford a cheap construction.

In using the type of terminal described a metallic rod is inserted through the tubular lining 2 and makes contact therethrough with one terminal of the circuit, the end of the rod affording the necessary connection behind the board through a terminal not shown in the drawings with the other side of the circuit.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is-

l. A circuit-terminal for a high-resistance circuit mounted on a support and insulated therefrom by a bushing of fabric coated or impregnated With a high-insulating material.

2. An insulated terminal for a high-potential circuit, mounted on a support through which it extends and separated therefrom by a bushing of fabric coated or impregnated with linseed-oil.

3. An insulated switchboard-terminal comprising a tubular socket extending into the s\vitchboard,an d a bushin garound said socket formed of multiple layers of a fabric coated with a dryingoil.

l. A switchboard-terminal consisting of a tubular contact extending through the board and separated therefrom by a bushing of insulating material, and an insulating-socket on the front of the board acting as a guard against contact of the operator with the termi nal.

5. A switchboard-terminal consisting of a tubular contact extending through the board and separated therefrom by a non-brittle bushing of insulating material, and an insulating-socket on the front of the board acting as a guard against contact of the operator With the terminal.

6. A switchboard terminal for a plugswitch, comprising a slate or marble board, a hollow contact-terminal mounted thereon,and insulated therefrom by a plurality of layers of fabric coated or impregnated With linseedoil,lrefractory insulating-spacers at the sides of the board, and an adjusting-nut to secure the terminal in place.

In witness whereof I have hereunto sot my hand this 28th day of March, 1900.

CHARLES C. vBABE/XU. l/Vitnesses:

BENJAMIN B. HULL, ALEX. I?. MACDONALD. 

